Disney Playing catch up with Universal... Potter Disney's biggest mistake in 20 years...

[Quinnmac000]

Like I said on a previous thread, Universal needs to build a How to Train Your Dragon ride. Shrek shouldn't be the only Dreamworks franchise at Universal right now. They should of given Shrek it's own dark ride actually. Shrek 2 is still the highest grossing animated movie domestically

Universal and Dreamworks Animation don't have a good relationship anymore.

 

[twebber55]

Video game sales reached $15.39 billion in 2013. That's a large audience for guaranteed success.

agree but a rather small demographic 17-29 males (the gamers)

 

[John]

Video game sales reached $15.39 billion in 2013. That's a large audience for guaranteed success.

That's a lot of coin for sure, but the USA casinos made over 37 billion....you think the third gate will be a casino? Whylightbulb mentioned DisneySea, I believe the park will not be themed on any piticular IP. Why narrow yourself? I am not saying that a park dedicated to Video games wouldn't be popular but to whom? I would have zero interest in it myself. I am 54, I don't know many others my age that play video games as well. Most of my contemporaries have grown children. No tweens....most are empty nesters. Why would we go to a park filled with something we have no idea of or interest in? BTW, my demo are usually the ones with the most money

 

[DC0703]

Neither of us know for sure what the JKR contact is. But I know she is smart. And I doubt she would let another IP become more important and if HP is more important that LOTR then I doubt they would sell Universal the rights. Also even if it were in a 3rd gate I still say that Universal would have to be very careful to make JKR happy because I know how smart she is and therefore I know there would have to be an out if Universal did anything to lower the importance of her baby. She thinks of HP just like PL Travers felt about Mary Poppins. Money was not the issue. Besides Universal will be spending most of their money over the next few years expanding HP in California and the rest of the world. And Unlike PL Travers she did not need to see anything.

I can't imagine Universal would paint themselves into that much of a corner, where nothing they do in the immediate future is allowed to match the scope of Harry Potter. That would limit their creativity in a big way.

I could see there being a stipulation that only Harry Potter merchandise is allowed sold in the HP areas, or that they have to keep the rides/attractions for a certain amt of time. I'm sure Rowling had a say in the design of the zones too. But it would surprise me if this would have an impact on other areas of the park or future attractions.

 

[twebber55]

I think people still miss whats important when it comes to theme park lands....you have to have something that translates well to a theme park...HP is low on the list for merchandise sales but its a home run in theme park achievement....look at toy story land at HKDL great movies makes tons on merchandise poor execution to theme park land

 

[danlb_2000]

Neither of us know for sure what the JKR contact is. But I know she is smart. And I doubt she would let another IP become more important and if HP is more important that LOTR then I doubt they would sell Universal the rights. Also even if it were in a 3rd gate I still say that Universal would have to be very careful to make JKR happy because I know how smart she is and therefore I know there would have to be an out if Universal did anything to lower the importance of her baby. She thinks of HP just like PL Travers felt about Mary Poppins. Money was not the issue. Besides Universal will be spending most of their money over the next few years expanding HP in California and the rest of the world. And Unlike PL Travers she did not need to see anything.

Evidence is to the contrary. New Kong attraction is already under construction at IOA, permit just filed for another hotel in Uni Orlando, work continues on City Walk, and Hollywood is also getting a Simpsons area and a Fast & Furious addition to the backlot tour. Beyond this there are strong rumors of more non-potter things coming to Orlando, not to mention the rumors of a new water park and possible 3rd gate. Sounds like they are investing in more then HP to me.

 

[twebber55]

I can't imagine Universal would paint themselves into that much of a corner, where nothing they do in the immediate future is allowed to match the scope of Harry Potter. That would limit their creativity in a big way.

I could see there being a stipulation that only Harry Potter merchandise is allowed sold in the HP areas, or that they have to keep the rides/attractions for a certain amt of time. I'm sure Rowling had a say in the design of the zones too. But it would surprise me if this would have an impact on other areas of the park or future attractions.

agree....I look for universal for a mixture of IP and non IP material star trek maybe fast and furious etc...

 

[Pieter]

I think your demo would expand well beyond 17-29. Especially if you include classic games and current. Seeing attractions from games of yesteryear would attract those of us over 40 and Mario type attractions would attract kids starting as young 6 years old. Young and old play games these days. I don't anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't see the potential. Besides we're not talking about an entire park dedicated to video games just a immersive land.

 

[twebber55]

I think your demo would expand well beyond 17-29. Especially if you include classic games and current. Seeing attractions from games of yesteryear would attract those of us over 40 and Mario type attractions would attract kids starting as young 6 years old. Young and old play games these days. I don't anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't see the potential. Besides we're not talking about an entire park dedicated to video games just a immersive land.

of course other demos play but that's primarily who plays...I could maybe see Mario but stuff like wow or call of duty no chance...Zelda is a good/popular but I just don't ever see it in any theme park

 

[seascape]

agree....I look for universal for a mixture of IP and non IP material star trek maybe fast and furious etc...

If Universal is close to building a third gate you can be sure Disney will build a 5th. No matter what any of the Disney fans say about Disney considering a studio park before Universal announced they were coming, I and most other people can see the studio was designed after universal California. And they built it fast to open first. Disney would do the same thing now. They would have to. They would also expand and improve all 3 of the parks that need it. I don't see anyway they wouldn't fight back and in a big way.

 

[Gomer]

of course other demos play but that's primarily who plays...I could maybe see Mario but stuff like wow or call of duty no chance...Zelda is a good/popular but I just don't ever see it in any theme park

That prime demo is constantly expanding though. The stigma of video games being only for children dropped with people who were kids in the heyday of Nintendo back in the 80’s. They didn’t stop playing when they hit adulthood like they were supposed to so the popularity expanded to adults. So, we’re talking people born 1975 and later. Gaming is very common with anyone born after that time and that age keeps getting pushed back as those early gamers get older. Barring setbacks in popularity amongst today’s children the demo is only likely to grow until gaming is on par with TV or movies and just accepted as another entertainment alternative.

 

[twebber55]

If Universal is close to building a third gate you can be sure Disney will build a 5th. No matter what any of the Disney fans say about Disney considering a studio park before Universal announced they were coming, I and most other people can see the studio was designed after universal California. And they built it fast to open first. Disney would do the same thing now. They would have to. They would also expand and improve all 3 of the parks that need it. I don't see anyway they wouldn't fight back and in a big way.

I don't see it....just add to the 4 parks you have and they would be fine

 

[Mike S]

I think your demo would expand well beyond 17-29. Especially if you include classic games and current. Seeing attractions from games of yesteryear would attract those of us over 40 and Mario type attractions would attract kids starting as young 6 years old. Young and old play games these days. I don't anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't see the potential. Besides we're not talking about an entire park dedicated to video games just a immersive land.

We're not? I thought we were, my bad. I would still like to see one though.

 

[twebber55]

That prime demo is constantly expanding though. The stigma of video games being only for children dropped with people who were kids in the heyday of Nintendo back in the 80’s. They didn’t stop playing when they hit adulthood like they were supposed to so the popularity expanded to adults. So, we’re talking people born 1975 and later. Gaming is very common with anyone born after that time and that age keeps getting pushed back as those early gamers get older. Barring setbacks in popularity amongst today’s children the demo is only likely to grow until gaming is on par with TV or movies and just accepted as another entertainment alternative.

being 41 and watching my brothers play many hours of Zelda and pitfall and whatever else game from the 80s I agree....but we re talking creating something for a theme park..i used this analogy here before hello kitty is a big IP but hello kitty would go no where in a theme park...its all about application for a theme park

 

[Tony Perkis]

If Universal is close to building a third gate you can be sure Disney will build a 5th. No matter what any of the Disney fans say about Disney considering a studio park before Universal announced they were coming, I and most other people can see the studio was designed after universal California. And they built it fast to open first. Disney would do the same thing now. They would have to. They would also expand and improve all 3 of the parks that need it. I don't see anyway they wouldn't fight back and in a big way.

Because they haven't yet. And they've had 4 years to counter HP.

 

[Gomer]

being 41 and watching my brothers play many hours of Zelda and pitfall and whatever else game from the 80s I agree....but we re talking creating something for a theme park..i used this analogy here before hello kitty is a big IP but hello kitty would go no where in a theme park...its all about application for a theme park

There we’ll have to agree to disagree. Video games are just another IP like any movie, and the world building elements, interactivity, and visceral motion elements make them uniquely suited for theme park attractions and lands. To me, possibly more so than movie properties where you have more plot to integrate into your lands and attractions. And unlike a Potter or Star Wars, the popularity is still ascending so it’s a unique opportunity to build something that will become more popular over time.

 

[EpcoTim]

To me this is the bigger problem than Potter going to Universal. For our family, the entire experience and ambience that Disney does so well (and I still think is better than Universal although I haven't seen Potter's addition yet) brings you back and makes Universal a "maybe" addition to the trip. But our last visit we noticed a decline in the quality and don't even get me started on the erosion of the fine dining experience thanks to the dining plan. We endured basically sitting in the family next to our table's lap at Chefs Le France, which in the 1990s never would have happened as the seating was less crammed, only halfway through the meal to endure their son vomiting everywhere and a mass cleanup which consisted of me trying to eat my entree with a bucket 4 inches from my foot…no apologies for our ruined dining experience mind you. I keep hoping Disney will bring the fine touches back, they WERE the best at them in their heyday.

Well see now, that can be one of the finer points of Disney dining. Sometimes it's akin to eating on a tilt-a-whirl at your local carnival. It's truly one of the few places on earth where you can walk into a (supposedly) French restaraunts and watch the sweaty, smelly, wife-beater wearing idiot next to you swear up and down because "they ain't got no got dam spaghetti and meatballs on the food card".

Dining pretty much anywhere there now has become like an experiment gone wrong at the Ol' Country Buffet. The fact that they now have all the tables so crammed together that you can hear the sound of the greaseball next to you rubbing his hand on his sweaty stomach and the sounds of his innards trying to process all sorts of things not really fit for human consumption is just great. They need to have at least a handful more places in the parks where you can have a somewhat quiet, relaxing meal that consists of some actual good food. No more of this everything tasting like reheated Chili's garbage.

And for the love of god, when did it become appropriate to take off your shoes and socks in a restaurant and it's even more disgusting to change your babies diaper at the table or on the floor next to it. I don't care if you are eating 4 or 5, 8 dollar hot dogs, that's really not an excuse to unzip your pants and pass out at the table for a few minutes.

 

[Pieter]

We're not? I thought we were, my bad. I would still like to see one though.

I don't think a park with only one concept is a good idea. But a large video game land done right would be cool.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Think of the classic games like Asteroids, Space Invaders, Centipede, Pac Man and so on. Just getting a few classic games would turn into awesome rides. A Centipede roller coaster or maybe a Pac Man dark ride of some sort. Then move on down to maybe a Halo ride or whatever is todays hot item.

These would be mostly terrible ideas for a video game section in a park. Those games were all limited by the technology of the time, and as such, there is little-to-no story in those games. They're simplistic and mostly throwaway by today's measures.

You want a video game land that truly appeals to a mass quantity of people? You need to look at franchises far newer than what you're proposing:

-Mario
-Resident Evil
-Uncharted
-Halo
-Gears of War
-Pokemon
-The Sims
-Sonic
-Assassin's Creed
-Crash Bandicoot
-Tomb Raider
-Skyrim
-Rayman
-God of War
-Doom
-Bioshock
-Kingdom Hearts
-Far Cry
-Half Life
-Metroid
-Left 4 Dead
-Saints Row
-Grand Theft Auto

While I don't think many of these should be the subject of their own lands or attractions, there are some hear worth exploring. I think a Poseiden's Fury type attraction based on the Uncharted Series would be fun, and there's boundless imaginative opportunities in many of Nintendo's IPs. They all offer better and more complex opportunities than 8-bit gaming and prior.

 

[Mike S]

I don't think a park with only one concept is a good idea. But a large video game land done right would be cool.

Universal Studios is based on movies and Islands of Adventure is based on literature. Why is a third park based on video games not a good enough theme? IMO it would be a good way of continuing the trend of each park being based on a different form of entertainment.